BOYS HOOPS: History Made in New Caney

Published 10:00 am, Sunday, February 14, 2016

New Caney’s Andrew Segovia brings the ball up the court during a game earlier this season.

New Caney’s Andrew Segovia brings the ball up the court during a game earlier this season.

BOYS HOOPS: History Made in New Caney

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New Caney basketball continues to rewrite history.

When Damien Bates took over the program, New Caney hadn’t been to the playoffs since 2011.

Last season, the Eagles made the playoffs for the third time in school history and looked to build off of that this season, proving that the success from a year ago wasn’t just a flash in the pan.

Despite some adversity this season, New Caney had a chance at another historical milestone facing rival Porter on Friday.

With a win, the Eagles would beat a rival, notch the school’s second-straight 20-plus win season and for the first time in school history secure back-to-back playoff appearances.

New Caney blew out Porter 61-36.

“It was like a storybook finish,” Bates said. “We had parent night, senior night, Porter rival night and playoffs at stake. It set up just to be a great memory for the kids. Fortunately we were able to come out and get the win.”

Following the win, Bates’ phone was lighting up.

Text messages poured in from former players as the news spread that New Caney was once again back in the playoffs.

It was those players, some seniors from last year’s squad that Bates thanks for trusting him and buying in because they were the ones to start what now is becoming a tradition.

“When those guys did that it gave these younger guys something to believe in,” Bates said about former players. “When they’re taking up for me and what I’m trying to do, it makes it a whole lot easier as a coach when you have your players buying in.”

The Eagles close out the regular season this week and then will turn its attention towards the playoffs, while other programs begin offseason workouts.

Bates, who is in his fourth season at New Caney, has turned this program into a consistent team - two-straight 20-win seasons and now two-straight playoff appearances - and he hopes players that are coming up through the ranks see this.

“I’m hoping that the younger kids see it and they’re seeing it can be done at New Caney,” he said. “You don’t have to move, you don’t have to leave. Just stay the course, believe in the coaches, believe in each other and hard work will get you there.”